Promising New Treatments, Research and High-Tech Advances Provide Hope for People With Age-Related Macular Degeneration
March 15 2012 - 10:00AM
Marketwired
Approximately 15 million people in the United States have
age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an eye disease that can rob
people of their central vision. In fact, AMD is a leading cause of
blindness in Americans age 65 and older.
Not long ago, a diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration
offered little in the way of hope due to limited treatment options.
Groundbreaking research, however, has recently led to treatment
options that can slow the progression of the disease and even
restore some of the vision that was thought to be lost. In
addition, new technologies are helping many people to successfully
overcome vision limitations associated with AMD.
In recognition of Age-related Macular Degeneration Awareness
Month, the American Academy of Ophthalmology seeks to increase
awareness of AMD and the latest clinical advances and prevention
measures that are saving vision.
Dry AMD Treatments Dry AMD is the most
common form of macular degeneration. The most exciting new
approaches for dry AMD include:
- Medicine-secreting implants that protect dying cells,
- New drugs that aim to prevent damage to the retina,
- Clinical trials of medicines intended to slow the progression
of dry AMD, and
- A prosthesis system, known as Second Sight.
Second Sight is an implant that attaches to the outside surface
of the eye and connects to an electrode placed in the retina. A
camera mounted on a pair of glasses communicates with the implant.
This device is in clinical trials in the United States and is
already in use in Europe.
Wet AMD Treatments About 10 percent of
Americans with AMD have wet AMD, which is responsible for the most
severe vision loss. New, highly effective injectable medications
are dramatically reducing damage from wet AMD and stabilizing
vision, these include:
- Avastin® and Lucentis®, which have been shown to reduce visual
acuity loss in most patients and improves vision in some patients,
and,
- A new injectable drug, Eylea®, which received FDA-approval in
late 2011.
"As ophthalmologists, we know all too well the devastating
impact AMD can have on people," said David W. Parke II, MD, CEO of
the American Academy of Ophthalmology. "Fortunately, the past few
years have been marked by significant improvement in understanding
the causes of the disease, which in turn has led to better
treatment options. Ophthalmologists can now endeavor to more
effectively treat multiple forms of AMD and that is providing new
hope to our patients."
AMD and Nutrition Nutrition might hold one
key to slowing the progress of AMD. A recent study called the
Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) showed that people at high
risk for developing late-stage dry, or wet, macular degeneration
who take a dietary supplement that includes specific, high levels
of vitamin C, vitamin E and beta carotene, along with zinc, can
decrease by about 25 percent their risk of macular degeneration
progressing to advanced stages. The daily supplements also reduced
the risk of vision loss for those at risk by about 19 percent.
Patients should talk with their ophthalmologist to learn if
supplements are recommended for them. A second study, AREDS2, is
now underway to evaluate whether adding the supplements lutein and
zeaxanthin and the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA to the AREDS
formula can provide further protection against late-stage AMD.
Results of this study are expected in 2013.
Other studies have shown that eating dark leafy greens as well
as yellow, orange and other brightly-colored vegetables and fruits
rich in lutein and zeaxanthin may reduce risk for developing
macular degeneration. Eating fish and seafood high in omega-3 fatty
acids has also been linked to lower risk of AMD.
Hi Tech Devices and Low Vision Services Help
Patients Cope If vision loss does occur, there are many
adaptations, aids and devices that can enable continued ability to
read, use a computer and perform almost all routine activities.
Recent innovations in consumer electronics -- including tablets,
e-readers and smartphones -- as well as new and affordable
alternatives can supplement traditional low-vision aids. For many
patients with moderate to severe visual impairment, low vision
rehabilitation clinics can provide needed assistance in enhancing
visual function. For resources, visit
http://www.geteyesmart.org/diseases/low-vision-resources.cfm.
Public Service Program Provides Free Eye
Exams Ophthalmologists acknowledge that this is an exciting
time for research and treatment options for AMD, however, they
would like to remind people that the first line of defense to help
prevent unnecessary vision loss from age-related eye diseases
should be an eye exam. Through EyeCare America, a public service
program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology,
more than 7,000 ophthalmologists in the United States and Puerto
Rico provide eye exams at no out-of-pocket cost to people age 65
and older. For more information and to see if you qualify, visit:
www.eyecareamerica.org.
For more information on keeping eyes healthy, visit the
Academy's public information website: www.geteyesmart.org.
Note to media: Contact Media Relations to
arrange interviews with experts, and request images.
About the American Academy of
Ophthalmology The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the
world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons -- Eye
M.D.s -- with more than 32,000 members worldwide. Eye health care
is provided by the three "O's" -- ophthalmologists, optometrists,
and opticians. It is the ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., who can
treat it all: eye diseases, infections and injuries, and perform
eye surgery. For more information, visit www.aao.org. The Academy's
EyeSmart® public education program educates the public about the
importance of eye health and empowers them to preserve their
healthy vision, by providing the most trustworthy and medically
accurate information about eye diseases, conditions and injuries.
Visit www.geteyesmart.org to learn more.
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Contact: Media Relations (415) 561-8534 media@aao.org